ACBAR briefing on protection of civilians, aid workers and humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan

Kabul, 27 February 2018
Putting Protection at the Heart of the Peace Process
After almost forty years civilians continue to bear the human cost of the ongoing armed conflict in Afghanistan. In 2017, 3,438 civilians were killed and a further 7,015 injured1. Also the deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian structures accounted for more than a quarter of the total civilian casualties2. During the same time period at least half a million people were forced to flee their homes3. The actual number is likely to be much higher as constrained access, due to insecurity and bureaucratic impediments, hinders assessments in non-government controlled areas, thus preventing verification of the full extent of displacement and undermining the provision of assistance and services to the people.